Keith Richwine Papers, 1887-1988

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-2002-001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the research notes and personal papers of Dr. Keith Richwine. The majority of the collection is comprised of Richwine's research notes on Sadie Kneller Miller. This portion of the collection is arranged topically and then chronologically. The first section contains copies of Sadie Kneller Miller's personal papers, photographs, and newspaper articles. These are arranged chronologically beginning with her time at Western Maryland College in the 1880s and ending in 1920. Following this are interviews, articles, and other biographical sources on Kneller Miller and her husband, Charles Miller. The second portion includes papers from Richwine's research into Miller, including correspondence he had with cultural heritage institutions and with Miller's relatives. The last section includes correspondence and publicity related to Richwine's work on "Mrs. Miller's Maryland" traveling exhibit in 1983-84.

Following Richwine's research into Sadie Kneller Miller is his research into history topics related to Carroll County. The final portion of Richwine's papers are dedicated to collections of poetry and other journal articles on literary figures.

In addition to Richwine's manuscript papers and research notes, this collection contains a box of index cards outlining his research into Sadie Kneller Miller. These include a chronological list of every article and photo Miller took that Richwine identified as well as other articles and sources which mention her. There is also a box of slides containing copies of Miller's photographs and photographs of New Windsor, Maryland take in 1976. This collection also contains several copies of the exhibit sampler from "Mrs. Miller's Maryland" along with the silver bowl presented to Richwine upon Sadie Kneller Miller's induction into the Maryland Hall of Fame and a painted, clay bowl with a picture of Miller.

Finally, this collection includes the original exhibit panels from "Mrs. Miller's Maryland."

Dates

1878 - 1988
Majority of material found within 1903 - 1920
Majority of material found within 1976 - 1988

Creator

Richwine, Keith Norton, 1930 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Keith Norton Richwine was a professor emeritus of English and former chair of the English Department at Western Maryland College. He was born in Harrisburg, PA in 1931. In 1952, Richwine graduated from Shippensburg University. Shortly thereafter he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years as a newspaper editor and lecturer. In 1954, he married Eleanor Nace Richwine. Richwine started his teaching career in 1955 as North Hills Joint High School in Pittsburgh, PA. Afterwards he taught at West Virginia Wesleyan and Beaver College. During this period, Richwine earned a master's degree in English and ultimately a Ph.D. in American Studies from Pennsylvania State University in 1968. He continued his post-doctoral studies as a visiting scholar at Harvard University.

Dr. Richwine joined the faculty of Western Maryland College in 1962. During his time at WMC, he co-authored the College's First Principles and published extensively on literary figures such as Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, and Sigmund Freud. Richwine was awarded WMC's Distinguished Teaching Award in 1971 and recognized as an Outstanding American Educator in 1974. Richwine retired from teaching in 1994. He died on March 15, 1996.

On November 18, 1996, Hoover Library opened the Richwine Special Collections Room in honor of Keith and Eleanor Richwine. Following her husband's death, Eleanor Richwine, a former librarian at WMC, helped to fund the creation of the Special Collections Room. In addition, she donated many volumes of Keith Richwine's personal collection of 20th century American fiction, focused on Kerouac and the Beatniks. These volumes formed the base of the Richwine Special Collection.

Sadie Kneller Miller

Sadie Kneller Miller (SKM) was a photojournalist working at the turn of the 20th century. She was born in Westminster, Maryland on Oct. 7th, 1867, and graduated from Western Maryland College in 1885.

Miller began her career as a journalist with the Westminster Democratic Advocate. She later moved to Baltimore where she covered the Baltimore Orioles as one the first female baseball reporters in the country.

Miller’s career as a photojournalist took off when she began working for Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly. Writing under the byline, Mrs. Charles R. Miller, SKM covered local, national, and international events. Among her most notable works were a 1916 interview with Pancho Villa, coverage of President Taft’s inauguration, and her reports as a war correspondent covering the Rif rebellion in Morocco.

SKM retired from journalism in 1918 after experiencing a stroke. She died on November 21st, 1920. 68 years after her death, Miller was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in 1988.

Extent

3.56 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

The Richwine Collection is a collection of first edition books, periodicals, and memorabilia of the Beat Generation authors, mostly Jack Kerouac, donated by Keith Richwine, English professor at McDaniel College and his wife, Eleanor, from 1962-1994. Additions are added to this collection by the collection advisors on an irregular basis. To view volumes in this collection, please visit the library catalog.

Content Warning

The McDaniel College Archives’ collections contain records that are historical in nature and products of the time and society under which they were created. Some materials within our collections contain language or images that users could find inappropriate or offensive. McDaniel College does not endorse the views expressed in these materials, which are inconsistent with the College’s commitment to creating an inclusive, open, and accessible learning community. These items have been retained as they originally existed to preserve the integrity of the historical record and to foster accountability for the institution’s actions and decisions